About us

Preserving Culture & Celebrating Diversity

We are more than just a dance studio; we are a community dedicated to preserving culture and celebrating diversity through dance. Founded in 2018, RVD Academy (Raakhe Virse De, meaning "protectors of culture") aims to uphold the rich traditions of Bhangra and Indian dance forms.

From our humble beginnings in 2012 with a small competitive team, we've grown to over four teams, thanks to the dedication of our dancers and the support of our community. Our leadership, including Jagga Sohal, Monick Mehta, Banti Bhullar, and Sunny Aheer, is committed to setting a positive example through dance instruction and community involvement.

Join us to explore the beauty and vibrancy of Bhangra, and become part of our passionate and supportive dance family.

The Rich History of Bhangra

Bhangra, a lively folk dance form originating from Punjab, India, has captivated hearts and energized spirits for centuries. Rooted in a celebration of the harvest season, Bhangra has evolved to become a symbol of joy, unity, and cultural pride. Indian dance forms, with their intricate footwork, graceful expressions, and vibrant costumes, showcase the diversity and beauty of India's rich heritage.
At RVD Academy, we recognize the importance of preserving and sharing these cultural treasures. Our aim is to pass on the knowledge and traditions of Bhangra and Indian dance to future generations while embracing the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students.

The Largest Bhangra Dance Academy in the Midwest Setting New Standards

RVD Academy proudly holds the title of the largest Bhangra academy in Michigan. With our own state-of-the-art facility, we offer unparalleled opportunities for students to learn, grow, and showcase their talents. We have collectively taught over 300 students, nurturing their love for Bhangra and empowering them to pursue their dance dreams. Many of our dancers have also gone on to be a part of various different teams, spreading the joy of Bhangra on an international scale. At RVD Academy, our commitment to the community goes beyond dance. We actively engage in seva (selfless service) and participate in various community events. In addition, we take pride in hosting our own community events, providing a platform for everyone to come together and celebrate. We strive to be consistently present at events, spreading joy through seva and fostering a strong sense of community.

We believe that dance has the power to bridge gaps and bring people together. At RVD Academy, we celebrate diversity and welcome individuals of all backgrounds, ages, and skill levels. We strive to create a safe and inclusive space where everyone can express themselves freely, learn from one another, and build lifelong friendships.

​Everyone Is Welcome

Academy Milestones

Official Performing Academy of Diljit Dosanjh

One of our proudest achievements was being selected as the official Bhangra academy for Diljit Dosanjh's Dil Luminiati Tour. Out of many academies, we were chosen to perform live with the biggest Punjabi artist in the world. Our team of over 40 dancers mesmerized an audience of over 25,000 people with a stunning 3-hour performance. This incredible opportunity highlighted our talent, dedication, and the vibrant spirit of Bhangra.

In addition to performing with Diljit Dosanjh, we have also had the honor of performing for and alongside other renowned artists such as Jazzy B, Manmohan Waris, Satinder Sartaaj, Amrit Maan, Jimmy Shergill, Sonu Sood, and Sharry Maan. We are proud to see our academy students perform alongside and for these artists.

Notable Moments

We also compete regularly with our various academy teams, placing at some of the toughest competitions in North America. Just this past year, we took a new team, RVD Joshiley, which includes dancers as young as 10 years old, and they placed for the first time against college-level teams in DC. Competing and taking our students to these events is a fantastic experience, showcasing their talent and our academy's dedication to excellence.

Competitions

Meet Our Team of Talented Instructors

  • Jagga Sohal

    DIRECTOR/FOUNDER

    INSTRUCTOR

    • Canton Advanced Ladies

    • Canton Advanced Co-Ed Adults

    • Canton Beginner Kids 2

    Team Affiliations:

    • RVD Senior Team

    • Anakh Sherniyan Di

  • Monick Mehta

    DIRECTOR/FOUNDER

    INSTRUCTOR

    • Lansing Beginner Kids

    • Lansing Intermediate Kids

    • Lansing Adults

    Team Affiliations:

    • RVD Senior Team

    • Michigan Bhangra Team

    • First Class Bhangra

    • OSU Origins

    • Spartan Virasat

  • Sunny Aheer

    DIRECTOR/FOUNDER

    INSTRUCTOR

    • RVD Senior Team

    • Naperville Beginner Kids

    • Naperville Adults

    Team Affiliations:

    • RVD Senior Team

    • First Class Bhangra

    • Michigan Bhangra Team

  • Asis Riar

    INSTRUCTOR/COACH

    • Canton Advanced Co-Ed Adults

    • Folkstars

    • RVD Joshiley

    Team Affiliations:

    • RVD Senior Team

    • Detroit De Shikari

    • Michigan Bhangra Team

  • Stuti Shankar

    INSTRUCTOR/COACH

    • Beginner Kids 1

    • Beginner Kids 2

    • Intemediate Kids

    • RVD Raniyan

    Team Affiliations:

    • RVD Raniyan

    • Michigan Bhangra Team

  • Chiraag Balsara

    INSTRUCTOR/COACH

    • Beginner Co-Ed Adults

    • Folkstars

    • RVD Joshiley

    Team Affiliations:

    • RVD Senior Team

    • Detroit Kohinoor

  • Stuti Shankar

    INSTRUCTOR

    • Beginner Kids

    • Intermediate Kids

    • RVD Raniyan

    Team Affiliations:

    • Michigan BHangra Team

    • RVD Raniyan

  • Taranbir Kaur

    Taranbir Kaur

    INSTRUCTOR

    • Beginner Kids

    • Intermediate Kids

    • RVD Raniyan

    • Giddha

    Team Affiliations:

    • Michigan Bhangra Team

    • RVD Raniyan

    • Majajan Jattian

  • Aneesha Sampath

    INSTRUCTOR/COACH

    • RVD Raniyan

    Team Affiliations:

    • Mehfil Mitran Di

    • CMU Bhangra

    • RVD Raniyan

  • Veer Badlia

    INSTRUCTOR

    • Grand Rapids Beginner Kids

    • Grand Rapids Intermediate Kids

    • Grand Rapids College Class

    • Grand Rapids Adults

    Team Affiliations:

    • RVD Joshiley

  • Gagan MANN

    INSTRUCTOR

    • Naperville Kids

    • Naperville Adults

    Team Affiliations:

    • RVD Senior Team

  • Amrit Badlia

    INSTRUCTOR

    • Grand Rapids Beginner Kids

    • Grand Rapids Intermediate Kids

    • Grand Rapids College Class

    • Grand Rapids Adults

    Team Affiliations

    • RVD Joshiley

  • Bikram Singh

    INSTRUCTOR

    • Beginner Dhol Classes

    • Advanced Dhol Classes

    Team Affiliations:

    • RVD Joshiley

  • Kulreet gill

    INSTRUCTOR

    • Giddha

    Team Affiliations:

    • Majajan Jattian

  • Simran Bhullar

    INSTRUCTOR/COACH

    • RVD Joshiley

    Team Affiliations:

    • RVD Senior Team

    • RVD Joshiley

    • Detroit De Shikari

  • Prisha Shah

    INSTRUCTOR

    • Bollywood Kids

    • Bollywood Adults

  • Maanya Dedhia

    INSTRUCTOR

    • Bollywood Kids

    • Bollywood Adults

  • Banti Bhullar

    INSTRUCTOR/FOUNDER

    • Naperville Adults

    • Naperville Kids

    Team Affiliations:

    • RVD Senior Team

  • Saurav beniwal

    INSTRUCTOR